From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and forests — our city has so many options to hit the trail.
So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Indy area with eight routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
Jefferson County
Tunnel Falls to Lily Memorial Trail, Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr., Madison
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 1.5-mile out-and-back
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Smell the hickory trees and brave your way through a tunnel to see the falls. Pro tip: to protect hibernating bats, the tunnel of this trail is only open May through October.
Indianapolis
Eagle Creek Park’s Lily Lake is a great spot for a picnic when you’re ready for a break. | Photo via @freezeframe56
Fowl Sanctuary South Overlook Trail, Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 5.1-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Looking to do a bit of bird watching while you’re working up a sweat in this loop? Well, it’s called Eagle Creek Park for a reason — keep an eye out for these feathered friends and don’t forget to hit the Ornithology Center on your way out.
Who doesn’t love a peaceful lake view? | Photo via @kstrauss79
Lawrence Creek Trail, Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N. Post Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 4.5-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Be cautious of mountain bikers on this beaten path with plenty of ravines to cross. Pro tip: the trail can get pretty muddy, so be sure to watch the forecast for rain.
Holliday Park’s easy trails are fun anytime of year. | Photo by INDYtoday team
Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 4.5-mile out-and-back
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
With more than 3.5 miles of trails, there are several vantage points to see the White River in the dense woods. You won’t want to miss the labyrinthine rock garden entrance from the west side of the park.
Putnam County
Ed Dailey Nature Trail, Cataract Falls, 2605 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.7-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
If you want to see the falls raging, we recommend going after a good rain, but beware of muddy trails. Pro tip: an early morning hike will let you have the falls all to yourself.
Parke County
Turkey Run State Park is located in Marshall, IN — a little over an hour from Indy. | Photo by INDYtoday team
Trail #3, Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd., Marshall
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 1.9-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
What do a suspension bridge, ladders, and a Punch Bowl have in common? You’ll find out if you take this trail — recently named the Midwest’s best hike in Midwest Living.
Morgan + Monroe Counties
Hike Bike Trail, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, 6220 Forest Rd., Martinsville
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 9-mile out-and-back
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Wind through the forest of this 25,000-acre park that is split between two Indiana counties. Share the trail with mountain bikers and keep an eye out for wildflowers.
Brown County
There’s no better season to visit Brown County than autumn. | Photo via @munzypix
Ogle Lake Trail 7, Brown County State Park, 1405 S.R. 46 W., Nashville
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.2-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
See every side of this Brown County lake on a leisurely walk easily spotted from a parking lot. You might even spot some wildlife.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
